Hethe

"Love your enemy, or stab him in the dick. Practice self-control in all things unless you're feeling angry. Hethites just can't decide what they want, can they?" Celie mused, rolling a crescent of apple about on a nearby plate. Her cousin, as usual, ignored her. "I like that, I think."

When the Rumain Empire was at the height of its power, it controlled much of Ereb. From Cetoile's western shores to the borders of Alramal Alkhafiya, Rumain influence was everywhere. The Empire brought with it unity and order, and its gods were venerated widely. Chief among these gods was Taranis, lord of the sky and storms, and of the Empire itself. The Empire spread his religion, and the religion of his fellow deities, and they grew in power as belief in them grew. Even in the eastern empires, Taranis' name was known. He looked upon the empire that celebrated him and he was pleased. As a reward, Taranis pooled his power, and through a series of revelations and omens, revealed to the Rumain Emperor Therasius that he was gifting the Empire with his son -- a living god.

At first, this was a cause for celebration, but Taranis' brother, Gera Miris, lord of the silent dead, feared for his nephew-to-be. Long had he been plagued by dreams of a new god descending into his domain. Taranis' half-children were many -- a demigod was not surprising to Gera Miris. Taranis was proud and full of hubris, however, and would not heed his warnings. Janus, the god of beginnings and ends, saw an end coming, and following his duty, he told the Rumain Emperor that the coming of the son of Taranis would herald the beginning of the Empire's end.

Hethe's upbringing was humble. He was born of a virgin -- indeed, he was the first of Taranis' children he did not sow in the usual manner. She was of simple stock and dusky skin, living in present-day Fidira. Her husband was a simple shipwright. Hethe was a predictably precocious youth, wise and just. As he grew, he gathered a number of disciples who were the first of the Hethites. They would scribe his lessons down and interpret them. Their collected works, The Testament, often contradict one another. Hethe preached justice and love, but his justice was often at odds with the will of those in power. He disrupted the corrupt religious network of the Empire. Word of his deeds spread, attracting the attention of admirers, adversaries and the Emperor himself.

The Emperor saw Hethe as a threat. He remembered the dream and the prophecy. He had Hethe killed in his hometown. Hethe was a god, but he was living. He was pierced by one hundred spears, and his life flowed crimson into the ground. Taranis' rage was swift and sudden. Not only did he turn his back on the Empire, he decreed that its hubris must end. He created a vast dragon to raze the Rumain capital, and the world was plunged into chaos. Without the intervention of Karthain, a State newly formed at this point, it is questionable whether mortals would still inhabit Ealam.

The magi of the Tower united to defeat the dragon, and wove a great magic from the memories of mortals to bury the dragon where now the Wyrmwaste shifts. The memories of the dragon were consumed from all save the magi who wove the spell. They received no gratitude for their work. Karthain then became insular and covetous. The magi knew not when such powerful magic would be required again, but they would be prepared. Every magician on Ereb would be at their beck and call, and the nations would know to listen to the Karthani magi.

Hethe was gone from the mortal realm. His spirit resided at the right hand of his father, but his disciples formed the basis for the Hethite religion, a religion that now spans national boundaries and has no homeland of its own. The Rumain Empire began to decline; Hethe was seen as the cause of it. The Emperors declared that any Hethites were to be killed. In the eastern Empires, they were treated with mistrust; Rumain diplomats had spread misinformation about them. As time passed, reasons for prejudice towards Hethites faded from memory. The prejudice became less violent as the Empire slowly crumbled.

Sadly, many bad habits outlive their usefulness. Many texts regarded as classical were written during the decline of the Rumain Empire. In these texts, vilification of Hethites is a common theme, and some casual scholars of classical texts uncritically accept and adopt these views.

Religion

Hethites believe that Hethe's foremost relationship is not with other gods, but with the world and mortals. Hethites begin with the belief that Hethe was born of a love of mortals, and that He is concerned with the actions of mortals. According to Hethite belief, Taranis gave the world Hethe in order to renew the Rumain Empire and bring it yet more greatness. Hethite preached compassion -- he commanded that people treat each other with justice and kindness, until they are wronged. If a person is wronged, they have the right to seek reparation and retribution.

Hethites worship no god or power other than Hethe, who they believe was the first and only true prophet of the gods. There is no central body of authority in the Hethite religion. Hethites tend to band together in small communities due to experiences of persecution. Their lifestyle is strict, almost ascetic. Among every Hethite community is one or more philosopher-teachers known as Chevimrs, whose role it is to interpret Hethite texts and forge them into laws. Hethites often wear clothes of black, the colour of mourning and death.

Holy Symbol

The Hethite insignia is a blazing blue crescent moon embracing a yellow, circular gemstone. The crescent moon symbolises a cradle -- a supportive vessel to nurture life safely in, the colour of water, that which is necessary for life. Flame signifies light and warmth, but also retribution and cleansing. The jewel, yellow to symbolise the wealth that comes with wisdom, is the first star that fell to earth, predating the Etoiline religion, which strict Hethites consider heretical.

Domains

Compassion, Law, Life, Sacrifice

Related

Thierrin